ANAHEIM – As Vernon Wells’ injured thumb healed over the past two months, he deflected any questions about what his role might be when he rejoined the Angels’ active roster, postponing that discussion until he was ready to play again.

He can’t deflect them any longer.

“You know what, I never think about what’s going to happen the next day,” Wells said before being activated from the DL in time for Friday’s game against the Rays. “In this game, you always have kids coming along and some of them are going to be special. I think we’ve seen a couple come along here that are special.

“You continue to evolve in this game. … This is just a small part of my career and we’ll see what happens from here.”

Wells’ career with the Angels has been more about de-evolution than evolution. An everyday starter in the Angels outfield when he was injured, he will return as a part-time player, ceding playing time to Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo, who emerged as All-Stars in his absence.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia spoke with Wells privately during the Angels’ series in Detroit last week just before Wells left for a minor league injury-rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake. Scioscia frankly laid out the new role waiting for Wells — starts in place of Kendrys Morales as the DH against left-handed pitching and the occasional start in the outfield when someone needs a day off — more likely Torii Hunter than Trout or Trumbo.

“At first, it was kind of hard,” Wells said. “Now — it just is what it is. You go out when you get a chance to play and approach the game like you did when you were a kid. Go out and have fun, try to help the team win.

“It’ll be different. Just as with anything as this game goes along, you make adjustments.”

Wells could be the $21 million elephant in the room if he becomes sullen over his diminished role. But Scioscia said he does not believe Wells will become a distraction or a disruptive influence.

“It’s obviously tough,” Scioscia said. “There’s definitely an understanding of where our team is right now and what his role will be. That doesn’t mean it isn’t going to expand from that. But you look at the way we’ve been playing and particularly the way the guys in the outfield have been playing, there’s no doubt you want to keep that rolling. Vernon understands this.

“Our challenge with anyone on the roster — they have to play enough to both stay sharp and contribute. I don’t think we’re going to see Vernon sitting for 10 days. It might not be, as we start out, that everyday look that he had before. But Vernon is very clear about what his situation is. … We know what some guys have done that are playing every day. You want to strengthen that continuity with some depth. You don’t want to disengage it.”

There have been reports that the Angels are looking to disengage themselves from Wells’ contract which guarantees him another $21 million each of the next two seasons. It will be a tall task to find a taker and the Angels would assuredly have to swallow most of the $50 million or so Wells is still owed.

Angels GM Jerry Dipoto said Friday that “in all likelihood” the acquisition of right-hander Zack Greinke will be the only significant move the team makes before Tuesday’s non-waiver trade deadline. But Wells’ contract makes it a virtual certainty that he could be passed through waivers for a trade later in the season. Wells has a no-trade clause and would have to approve any trade. He would not say if a diminished role with the Angels might make that an easy decision for him though he did admit he has thought about it — “I think about a lot of things, on and off the field,” he said with a smile.

“I don’t know (if he would be more willing to accept a trade),” Wells said. “That’s for you guys to speculate on.”

ROSTER SHUFFLE

The acquisition of Greinke set off a domino effect on the Angels’ roster.

Because Jean Segura was shipped to Milwaukee, shortstop Erick Aybar went on the DL retroactive to last Saturday when he suffered a slight fracture in the big toe on his right foot. Aybar has increased his activity level and was on the field for batting practice but was clearly not ready to play.

The Angels promoted infielder Andrew Romine from Triple-A Salt Lake for infield depth. And with a second roster spot available, Wells was activated. The Angels had not planned on activating Wells until Saturday.

Catcher Chris Iannetta returned from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake and could be activated from the DL this weekend. The Angels will also have to clear a roster spot for Greinke, who will wear uniform No. 23. Pitching coach Mike Butcher agreed to give up his No. 23 and switch to 31 when Greinke arrives.

Join the Conversation

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com.